Livestock moving system and method

ABSTRACT

A system and method for moving livestock includes a sequence of interconnected enclosures in which the periphery of each enclosure extends generally to the center of the next enclosure. At the center of each enclosure is a turret unit including a support frame, a turret frame and a panel. The panel extends generally to the edge of the enclosure. The turret frame and panel are capable of two modes of movement: a sweeping mode and a shuttle mode. In the sweeping mode, the turret frame rotates the extended panel as the panel sweeps around the semicircular enclosure. In the shuttle mode the panel is translated across the enclosure from one side of the turret frame to the other side of the turret frame. Panels can thus be alternately swept around their respective enclosures and shuttled across their respective enclosures to present translating enclosed areas for livestock as the livestock progress through a series of interconnected semicircular enclosures.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application60/613,878 filed Sep. 28, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a series of turret mounted rotating andshuttling panels for moving livestock through a series of enclosures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Livestock animals are typically herded through chutes or enclosuresusing traditional herding or driving techniques. Herding livestockthrough a chute or enclosure may require the action of a horsebackmounted handler or an unmounted handler. In the case of herding largeanimals such as cattle, there is a danger that a handler may be pressedby livestock against the walls of a chute or an enclosure. This dangeris particularly acute in the case of herding large livestock such ascattle. Moreover, livestock typically have a “flight zone” such thatwhen a handler approaches a livestock animal within the animal's flightzone, the animal becomes stressed and may try to evade the handler.Accordingly, a need exists for a remotely system for urging livestockthrough an enclosed space or chute wherein, contact between livestockanimals and handlers is minimized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment of the present invention the aforementioned need isaddressed by a system including a sequence of interconnected enclosuresin which the periphery of each enclosure extends generally to the centerof the next enclosure. The enclosures include arc shaped walls. When theenclosures are arranged in a series, the enclosures between the firstand last enclosures should preferably be semi-circular. In thisconnection, the center of a semi-circle or an arc should be understoodas the center of curvature. At the center of each enclosure is a turretunit including a support frame, a turret frame and a panel. The supportframe is stationary and the turret frame is rotatably mounted to thesupport frame. The panel is mounted to the turret frame such that whenthe turret frame rotates the panel sweeps around the enclosure. Thepanel is also mounted to the turret frame so that the panel may beshuttled to the opposite side of the turret frame and thus to theopposite side of the turret unit. Panels can thus be alternately sweptaround their respective enclosures and shuttled across from one side oftheir supporting turret units to the other side and thus shuttledbetween opposite sides of their respective enclosures in order topresent translating enclosed areas for livestock as the livestockprogress through a series of interconnected semicircular enclosures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a first top view of a turret system including three turretunits and three overlapping enclosures.

FIG. 2 is a second top view of a turret system including three turretunits and three overlapping enclosures.

FIG. 3 is a third top view of a turret system including three turretunits and three overlapping enclosures.

FIG. 4 is a fourth top view of a turret system including three turretunits and three overlapping enclosures.

FIG. 5 is a fifth top view of a turret system including three turretunits and three overlapping enclosures.

FIG. 6 is a sixth top view of a turret system including three turretunits and three overlapping enclosures.

FIG. 7 is a seventh top view of a turret system including three turretunits and three overlapping enclosures.

FIG. 8 is a eighth top view of a turret system including three turretunits and three overlapping enclosures.

FIG. 9A is a plan view of an automatic turret unit.

FIG. 9B is a top view of an automatic turret unit.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of an automatic turret unit.

FIG. 11A is a plan view of a panel of an automatic turret unit.

FIG. 11B is an end view of a panel of an automatic turret unit.

FIG. 11C is a perspective view of the upper portion of one end of apanel of an automatic turret unit.

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a support frame of an automatic turretunit.

FIG. 12B is a plan view of a support frame of an automatic turret unit.

FIG. 12C is a top view of a support frame of an automatic turret unit.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a turret frame of a turretunit.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a power assembly of anautomatic turret unit.

FIG. 14A is a diagram of the hydraulic system for a turret unit.

FIG. 14B is a diagram of the electrical control system for controllingthe hydraulic system of a turret unit.

FIG. 15A is a perspective view of the upper portion of an automaticturret unit.

FIG. 15B is a perspective view of a latch assembly of the automaticturret unit of FIG. 15A.

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a manual turret unit.

FIG. 16A is a perspective view of the upper portion of a manual turretunit.

FIG. 17A is a perspective view of a power assembly of a manual turretunit.

FIG. 17B is a side view of a power assembly of a manual turret unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a livestock moving system10. Generally, livestock moving system 10 includes an entrancepassageway 18, enclosure 20A and semicircular enclosures 20B and 20C,turret units 30A, 30B, and 30C and exit chutes 100A and 100B. Entrancepassageway 18 communicates between alleyway 12 and enclosure 20A and isbounded by opposite alley walls 12A and 12B. Enclosure 20A is defined bywall 12A and arc shaped quarter-circular wall 22A. Enclosures 20B and20C are defined by semi-circular walls 22B and 22C respectively. Turretunits 30A, 30B, and 30C may be substantially identical andinterchangeable. Accordingly, turret unit 30A includes a support frame32A, a turret frame 34A and a panel 36A. Turret unit 30B includes asupport frame 32B, a turret frame 34B and a panel 36B and turret unit30C includes a turret frame 34C and a panel 36C.

Operation of One Turret Unit within an Enclosure

Livestock moving system 10 can be best understood by examining one ofthe three substantially identical turret units shown in FIGS. 1-8 andmore particularly, turret unit 20B which is associated with semicircularenclosure 20B. As noted above, turret unit 20B includes support frame32B, turret frame 34B and panel 36B. Turret unit 20B like turret units20A and 20C is designed to move panel 36B in two modes of movement: asweep mode and a shuttle mode. During the sweep mode of movement, turretframe 34B rotates with respect to support frame 32B such that panel 36Bsweeps around semicircular enclosure 20B. During the shuttle mode ofmovement, panel 36B translates through turret frame 34B as turret frame34B remains stationary with respect to support frame 32 such that panel36B shuttles to the other side of turret frame 34B.

The sweep mode of movement for turret unit 20B is best understood byreferring to FIGS. 5-7. In FIG. 5, prior to sweeping, panel 36B is fullyextended so that its distal end is proximate to semi-circular wall 22Bat point BP2. FIG. 6 shows the rotation of turret frame 34 as panel 36Bsweeps from the position shown in FIG. 5 to the position shown in FIG.7. In FIG. 7, after panel 36B has swept through enclosure 20B, thedistal end of panel 36 is at point BP1.

The shuttle mode of movement for turret unit 20B is best understood byreferring to FIGS. 3-5. In FIG. 3, prior to shuttling, panel 36B isfully extended to the right so that the right distal end of panel 36B isat point BP1. FIG. 4 shows the translation of panel 36B as it shuttlesthrough turret frame 34B from the position shown in FIG. 3 to theposition shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, the end of panel 36B which wasproximate to turret frame 34B is now extended away from turret frame 34Bin proximity to point BP2.

Method for Operating a Series of Turret Units

Having thus described the actions of one turret unit as it either sweepsa panel around a semicircular enclosure or shuttles a panel across anenclosure, it is now possible to consider an arrangement of a series ofenclosures and turret units. It is also possible to consider a sequenceof operations—or a method—for moving livestock through a series ofsemicircular enclosures.

The coordinated actions of three turret units are illustrated in FIGS.1-8. In FIG. 1, a first group of livestock animals 90A is passingthrough alley 12 and approaching entrance passageway 18. In FIG. 1,turret 30A is set so that panel 36A is extended toward point AP1, turret30B is set so that panel 36B is extended toward point BP1 and turret 30Cis set so that panel 36C is extended toward point CP1. Thisconfiguration presents an open passage for first group of livestockanimals 90A to enter enclosures 20A and 20B.

In FIG. 2, first group of livestock animals 90A has entered enclosures20A and 20B and panel 36A has rotated to point AP2 thus separating group90A from alley 12. A second group of livestock animals 90B is in alley12 and is approaching entrance passageway 18.

In FIG. 3, first group of livestock animals 90A is herded into enclosure20B as panel 36A of turret unit 30A sweeps to point AP3. In FIG. 3,panels 36A and 36B isolate group 90A in enclosure 20B. In FIG. 4, panel36B shuttles from point BP1 to point BP2 thus opening communicationbetween enclosures 20B and 20C. In FIG. 5, panel 36B is completelyshuttled to point BP2 thus presenting an open passageway for group 90Ato pass into enclosure 20C. Also in FIG. 5, panel 36A shuttles frompoint AP3 to AP1 in preparation for urging group 90B into enclosure 20A.Also in FIG. 5, a third group of livestock animals 90C approaches inalley 12.

In FIG. 6, the system is now managing the movement of three groups oflivestock animals 90A, 90B and 90C. First group of livestock animals 90Ais herded from enclosure 20B to enclosure 20C as panel 36B of turretunit 30B sweeps from point BP2 to point BP1. As group 90A is herded fromenclosure 20B to 20C, second group 90B is herded from enclosure 20A toenclosure 20B as panel 36A sweeps from point AP2 to point AP3. As panel36A sweeps from point AP2 to point AP3 passageway 18 is opened for group90C.

In FIG. 7 panel 36A has swept to point AP3, panel 36B has swept to pointBP1 and panel 36C is shuttling from point CP1 to point CP2 in order toopen communication between enclosure 20C and exit chutes 100A and 100B.

In FIG. 8, a fourth group of livestock animals 90D has moved intoalleyway 12. As can be seen in FIG. 8, panels 36A and 36C are sweepingin a clockwise direction while panel 36B is sweeping in a counterclockwise direction in order to move groups 90A, 90B and 90C towardtheir eventual egress into exit chutes 100A and 100B. In FIG. 8, group90A is urged through a pair of one-way folding gates 102A and 102B intoexit chutes 100A and 100B by the panel 36C as it sweeps throughenclosure 20C. Folding gates 102A and 102B are presented here by way ofexample and may be replaced by one or more of a variety of exit chutes.At the same time, in FIG. 8, group 90B is herded by sweeping panel 36Bfrom enclosure 20B to enclosure 20C. Still further, at the same time inFIG. 8, group 90C is herded from enclosure 20A to enclosure 20B by thesweeping action of panel 36A. When panels 36A, 36B and 36C havecompleted their sweeps, group 90A will be in exit chutes 100A and 1001B,group 90B will be in enclosure 20C and group 90C is in enclosure 20B. Atthis point, panels 36A, 36B and 36C may be shuttled to the left inpreparation for subsequent sweeping movements for herding groups 90B,90C, 90D and a subsequent group of livestock animals substantially asdescribed above.

The operation of turret units 30A, 30B and 30C may be partially manualor almost completely automated. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the shuttlingof panels 36A and 36C may be conducted manually. For manual operations,handlers must be able to access panel 36A though a first gate 110A andaccess panel 36C through a second gate 110C. It is preferable thatturret unit 30A is located so that panel 36A can not be pushed intocontact with the wall of alleyway 12 adjacent to turret unit 30A. In thesame way, it is preferable that turret unit 30C be located so that panel36C can not make contact with second gate 110C. This provides protectedspaces for livestock handlers. Serious injuries and even fatalities havebeen known to occur when handlers are trapped between enclosure wallsand gates or panels which are being pushed by large livestock. Alivestock handler positioned at location 120A or location 120C will beprotected by the limited movement of panel 36A or panel 36Crespectively.

Detailed Description of an Automated Turret Unit

FIGS. 9A-15B provide detailed illustrations of an automated turret unit130. Automated turret unit 130 is intended as an example embodiment of aturret unit which may be used for turret units 30A, 30B and 30C referredto above. Automated turret unit 130 is designed to provide a remotelyoperable turret unit which is able to shuttle or sweep a panel asdescribed above without the manual intervention of an operator orlivestock handler. This provides the important advantage of isolatinghandlers and operators from livestock thus reducing the stressexperienced by livestock and reducing the risk of injury to livestockhandlers and system operators. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, automatedturret unit 130 includes a support frame 132, a turret frame 174 and apanel 206. Turret frame 174 is pivotably mounted to support frame 132for sweeping panel 206 from the position shown. Turret frame 174 alsoreceives panel 206 on rollers which will be described below so thatpanel 206 may shuttle through turret frame 174.

FIG. 10 provides an exploded perspective view of turret unit 130. FIG.9A provides a plan view of an assembled turret unit 130 and FIG. 9Bprovides a top view of assembled turret unit 130. In FIG. 10, a powerunit 150 is illustrated in an exploded manner. Power unit 150mechanically couples between support frame 132 and turret frame 174.Power unit 150 includes a sweep hydraulic motor 152 for powering therotation of turret frame 174 in relation to support frame 132 forsweeping panel 206 and a shuttle hydraulic motor 154 for spooling acable (not shown) which actuates shuttling movements of panel 206through turret frame 174. FIG. 10 also provides exploded illustrationsof latch assemblies 300. Latch assemblies 300 are generally identicalassemblies which are mounted in an opposite, symmetrical fashion toturret frame 174. Latch assemblies 300 are designed to lock panel 206 toprevent shuttling movements of panel 206 when panel 206 is sweeping.Latch assemblies 300 are also designed to release panel 206 to allow theshuttling of panel 206 when panel 206 is in a predetermined position forshuttling. The operations of power unit 150 and latch assemblies 300will be described in greater detail below.

FIGS. 9A-10, FIG. 14 and FIG. 15A also illustrate components of anelectrical stimulation system 760 for urging livestock away from panel206. Because panel 206 when sweeping my not have sufficient leverage topush large livestock, it is preferable to have a system for urginganimals away from panel 206. As can be seen in FIGS. 9A and 10, eachside of panel 206 presents a pattern of electrically conductive elementsincluding generally horizontal elements 780 and generally verticalelements 780A and 780B. Generally vertical elements 780A and 780B atlocated at opposite ends of panel 206. Elements 780, 780A and 780B onboth sides of panel 206 are connected to each other preferably by atleast one conductive metal bolt in order to present a single conductivepattern. Elements 780 are positioned for making contact with livestockfor urging livestock forward. The electric power supplied to elements780, 780A and 780B is preferably between 7 and 11 joules for beefcattle. The use of electric current to urge livestock animals away frombarriers such as fences is well known in the art. Electrical stimulationsystem 760 may be associated with the drive mechanism for rotatingturret frame 132 such that when turret frame 132 is prevented fromrotating during a sweep, electrical stimulation system 760 is activated.A means for activating stimulation system 760 in response to turretframe 132 stalling will be described in greater detail below.

Electrical stimulation system 760 also includes elements for deliveringcurrent to elements 780, 780A and 780B of panel 206. A contact unit 790is mounted turret frame 174. Contact unit 790 includes a biased contactthat follows the surface of panel 206 and makes electrical contact withelement 780A or 780B when panel 206 is at either end of its transversetravel. A second arrangement is used to transfer electrical currentbetween an electrical power supply mounted on generally stationarysupport frame 132 and contact unit 790 mounted on rotating turret frame174. This arrangement can be best seen in FIG. 14. In FIG. 14, anelectrified contact unit 766 includes a spring biased conductive contact766A which communicates with power supply wire 766B. An insulating plate762 and a conductive plate 764 are bolted to belt plate 162 by insulatedbolts 764A such that insulating plate 762 electrically isolatesconductive plate 764 from belt plate 162 and from any other conductiveportion of drive system 150 and turret frame 174. Conductive contact766A is positioned to ride upon conductive plate 764. At least one ofinsulated bolts while insulating conductive plate 764 from belt plate162 provides a conductive path from conductive plate 764 to contact unit790. Thus a path for communicating electric current is provided betweena power supply connected to power supply wire 766B, across the rotatingstructure of turret frame 174 to conductive elements 780, 780A and 780Bof panel 206.

FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C provide detailed views of panel 206. Since panel206 is swept and shuttled within a generally symmetrical mechanism,panel 206 is generally symmetrical about its center. An explodeddetailed view of turret frame 174 is provided in FIG. 13. FIG. 13 showsthat a set of rollers 176A, 176B, 176C and 176D are mounted to turretframe 174. As can be seen in FIGS. 10 and 13, rollers 176A, 176B, 176Cand 176D are shaped and positioned to receive panel 206. Each of rollers176A, 176B, 176C and 176D preferably includes a circumferencial groovefor receiving panel 206. Accordingly, as can be seen in FIGS. 11A, 11Band 11C, panel 206 includes rail members 208A and 208B each having a “v”shaped profile corresponding to the circumferencial grooves of rollers176A, 176B, 176C and 176D. Although, in this embodiment rollers 176A,176B, 176C and 176D and rail members 208A and 208B have correspondinggrooves and “v” shaped profiles, other corresponding geometries may beselected to guide panel 206 in relation to rollers 176A, 176B, 176C and176D. Rollers 176A, 176B, 176C and 176D are mounted by ball bearings toturret frame 174 so that panel 206 may shuttle through turret frame 174with a minimum of friction. Panel 208 also includes a pair of opposite,symmetrical boss members 209. The function of these boss members will bedescribed below.

FIGS. 12A-12C provide detailed views of support frame 132 which shouldbe considered with the detailed exploded view of turret frame 174 shownin FIG. 13 and the detailed exploded view of power unit 150 shown inFIG. 14. FIGS. 12A-12B show that support frame 132 includes axiallyaligned bearings 132A and 132B. As seen in FIG. 13, turret frame 174includes a bearing shaft 178 which is received by bearing 132B ofsupport frame 132. Bearing 132A is designed to receive and support driveunit 150 shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 14 provides an exploded perspective view of drive unit 150. FIG.15A illustrates drive unit 150 installed within turret unit 130. Driveunit 150 operatively associates with support frame 132, turret frame 174and panel 206. Drive unit 150 includes sweep hydraulic motor 152 andshuttle hydraulic motor 154. As is shown in FIG. 15A, both sweephydraulic motor 152 and shuttle hydraulic motor 154 are fixed to supportframe 132. Sweep hydraulic motor 152 is bolted directly to support frame132. Shuttle hydraulic motor 154 is mounted to support frame 132 by amounting bracket 154A. Shuttle hydraulic motor 154 is operativelyconnected to a spool shaft 160 which in turn is fixed to a spool 160A.Spool 160A carries a spool cable 160B. The opposite ends of cable 160Bare connected to corresponding opposite ends of panel 206. As shuttlehydraulic motor 154 rotates, spool 160A rotates and causes cable 160B toretract on one side and play out on the opposite side thus causing panel206 to shuttle through turret frame 174. Sweep hydraulic motor 152operates a belt pulley 152A. A belt plate 162 is fixed to turret frame174 as shown in FIG. 15A. As is shown in FIG. 15A, a belt 152Bcommunicates between belt pulley 152A and belt plate 162. Accordingly, asweep hydraulic motor 152 rotates belt pulley 152A, belt plate 162 andturret frame 174 rotate as panel 206 sweeps. The belt and pulleyarrangements described above may also be replaced by another drive meanssuch as, for example, a chain and sprocket arrangement.

Numerous systems may be employed to control the operation of hydraulicmotors 152 and 154. Generally, it is important that relief valves beincluded in the hydraulic circuits servicing hydraulic motors 152 and154 so that the hydraulic system is not overloaded and so that animalsand handlers are not injured by equipment that applies excessive forces.An example control system for hydraulic motors 152 and 154 is presentedin FIGS. 14A and 14B.

FIG. 14A provides a schematic for a hydraulic system 500 for operatingsweep hydraulic motor 152 and shuttle hydraulic motor 154. Hydraulicsystem 500 includes a pump 501A, a reservoir 501B, a sweep motor controlvalve 552 and a shuttle motor control valve 554. Sweep motor controlvalve 552 is connected with sweep hydraulic motor 152 in a circuitincluding a dual relief valve 504 and adjustable flow dividers 506A and506B. Sweep motor control valve 554 and shuttle hydraulic motor 154 areconnected in a circuit with dual relief valve 554A and flow controlvalve 556. In this system, pressure relief valves 504, 554A and flowcontrol valve 556 are adjustable. This adjustability allows the panelsweeping and shuttling to be set to operate within pre-selected speedand force ranges. The relief valves are preferably set to cause motors152 and 154 to be bypassed when large forces are encountered.

Relief valve 504 shown in FIG. 14A may be connected to an electricalstimulation relay unit 576 if an electrical stimulation system 760 isused. Relay unit 576 is interfaced with relief valve 504 and electricalstimulation power supply line 766B (also shown in FIG. 14). Relay unit576 preferably includes a relay which is associated with a timer. Therelay of relay unit 576 responds to the opening of relief valve 504 bydwelling for the dwell time and then closing power supply line 766B.Typically, the dwell time may be between 0.5 and 2.5 seconds. When therelay closes, power supply line 766B is closed or connected in order toprovide power to the electrical stimulation system. As is explainedabove, relief valve 504 opens when sweep motor 152 is stalled. Thiswould typically occur when a livestock animal is pushing against panel206. The supply of electrical stimulation current to electricalstimulation system 760 would cause the animal to move away from panel206. The dwell time gives the animal an opportunity to move away frompanel 206 prior to initiation of the stimulation current. When theanimal moves away from panel 206, panel 206 is free to continuesweeping. This allows sweep motor 152 to continue turning thus causesrelief valve 504 to close. Relay unit 564 should be adapted such thatits relay opens when relief valve 504 closes so that power is notsupplied through line 766B when sweep motor 152 is operating normallyduring a sweep cycle. Since relief valve 504 would be closed when sweepmotor 152 is not supplied with hydraulic fluid for a sweep cycle, relayunit 576 would operate to supply current to electrical stimulationsystem 760 during the limited case when a sweep cycle is in progress andwhen panel 206 is constrained from rotation by a livestock animal.

FIG. 14B provides a schematic for a remote control system 600 forcontrolling the operations of valves 552 and 554 of FIG. 14A. Remotecontrol system 600 includes a power supply 602, a signal receiver board630, a remote shuttle kill 640, a sweep solenoid 652 and a shuttlesolenoid 654. Receiver board 630 includes a series of remotely activatedrelays 630A, 630B, 630C and 630D which switch power to sweep solenoid652 and shuttle solenoid 654. Relays 630A, 630B, 630C and 630D may beadapted to receive radio signals from a separate control unit includes aswitch activated signaling means. Each solenoid 652 and 654 may beoperated in one of three states, a neutral state, a forward state and areverse state. When a solenoid is not activated and is in the neutralstate, its respective valve is in a neutral position such that hydraulicfluid is not directed to its corresponding hydraulic motor. When in apositive and negative state, the solenoid will activate itscorresponding hydraulic valve to cause hydraulic flow corresponding toeither a forward or reverse motion of its corresponding hydraulic motor.Accordingly, when the state of sweep solenoid 652 is positive as aresult of receiving a positive signal from relay 630A, hydraulic valve552 is activated to cause forward movement of sweep motor 152. Likewise,when sweep solenoid 652 is negative as a result of receiving a negativesignal from relay 630B, hydraulic valve 552 is activated to causereverse movement of sweep motor 152. In the same way, when the state ofshuttle solenoid 654 is positive as a result of receiving a positivesignal from relay 630C, hydraulic valve 554 is activated to causeforward movement of sweep motor 154. Likewise, when the state of shuttlesolenoid 654 is negative as a result of receiving a negative signal fromrelay 630D, hydraulic valve 554 is activated to cause reverse movementof sweep motor 154. Remote shuttle kill switch 640 prevents shuttlesolenoid 554 from activating while a panel is sweeping or moreparticularly—while latch assembly 300 is in place. This preventsunnecessary stresses on the cables which shuttle panel 206. Remoteshuttle kill switch 640 opens the shuttle circuit and does not close thecircuit again until panel 206 returns to a position suitable forsweeping and latch assembly 300 is raised to allow panel 206 to shuttle.A detailed description of the design and operation of latch assemblies300 is given below.

FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B illustrate latch assemblies 300. Latch assemblies300 are generally identical assemblies mounted to opposite sides ofturret frame 174. Latch assemblies 300 are designed to alternatelysecure panel 206 to prevent shuttling movement when panel 206 issweeping and release panel 206 to allow shuttling movement in thedesired direction when panel 206 is position for shuttling. As shown inFIG. 15B, each latch assembly 300 includes a translating portion 302 anda pivoting portion 320. Translating portion 302 includes a first uprightrod 304 slidably mounted to turret frame 174 by bushings 304A and 304B,a second upright rod 314 slidably mounted to turret frame 174 by bushing314A and horizontal members 315 communicating between first upright rod304 and second upright rod 314. Pivoting portion 320 is operativelyassociated with translating portion 302. Pivoting portion 320 includes aprawl member 322, pivoting plates 324 and lever members 326 fixed toprawl member 322 and pivoting plates 324. Pivoting plates 324 arepivotably mounted by a pin 328 to turret frame 174. FIG. 15A shows prawlmember 322 in a lowered position such that it engages boss member 209projecting from panel 206 thus preventing panel 206 from shuttling tothe left as seen in FIG. 15A during a clockwise sweep. The operation ofeach latch assembly 300 also requires the presence of a skid plate 350which is fixed to support frame 132. Skid plate 350 is positioned sothat first upright rod 304 encounters skid plate 350 as panel 206reaches the end of a clockwise sweep. When upright rod 304 encountersskid plate 350, translating portion 302 will shift down causing prawlmember 322 to pivot up thus releasing boss member 209. When prawl member322 releases boss member 209, panel 206, now extended to the left, maybe shuttled to the right to a position substantially as shown in FIG.15A. At the end of a shuttle movement, an opposite, identical bossmember 209 on the opposite side of panel 206 from that shown in FIG.15A, encounters the angled surface 322A of prawl member 322 which forcesprawl member 322 to pivot up to clear the approaching boss member 209.When boss member 209 has passed under prawl member 322, prawl memberfalls in behind boss member 209. Thus latch assemblies 300 are designedso that a boss member is released on one side of panel 206 to permit thecommencement of shuttling of panel 206 and also so that the boss memberon the opposite side and the opposite end of the panel will be receivedand captured at the end of a shuttling movement. This sequence ofactions including a clockwise sweep and a right shuttle returns panel206 to a position opposite but substantially identical to that shown inFIG. 15A.

Detailed Description of a Manual Turret Unit

FIGS. 16-17B provide detailed views of a manual turret unit 230. Manualturret unit 230 is intended as an example embodiment of a turret unitswhich may be used for turret units 30A, 30B and 30C referred to above.Manual turret unit 230 is designed to provide a turret unit which canautomatically sweep but must be manually shuttled back to an initialposition. The primary advantage of this system is that it can bemanufactured at a lower cost.

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of manual turret unit 230. FIG.16A is an enlarged perspective view of the upper portion of manualturret unit 230. FIGS. 16 and 16A show that manual turret unit 230includes a support frame 232, a drive unit 250, a turret frame 274, apanel 306 and a latch assembly 400. As described above panel 206includes rail members 308A and 308B which are received by groovedrollers 276A, 276B, 276C and 276D mounted to turret frame 274. Panel 306includes projecting members 310 which are received and captured by latchassembly 400. Latch assembly 400 is biased by its weight in a loweredposition but can be raised by pulling on cable 400A. Accordingly, panel306 is locked by latch assembly 400 to prevent shuttling but can bereleased by a raising action with cable 400A to allow a shuttlingmovement of panel 306. Panel 306 also includes an opaque web 306B whichis for visually isolating an operator or livestock handler from thelivestock when a manual shuttling operation is conducted.

FIGS. 17A and 17B provide detailed views of drive unit 250. Drive unit250 includes a two way hydraulic cylinder 252, a drive plate 254 and aratchet mechanism 256. Hydraulic cylinder 252 is mounted to supportframe 232. Drive plate 254 is fixed to turret frame 274. Ratchetmechanism 256 is rotatably mounted with respect to support frame 232about the axis of rotation of turret frame 274. Drive plate 254 includesa series of teeth 254A radially disposed about the top surface of driveplate 254 and ratchet mechanism 256 includes a pivotably mounted flipmember 256A which rotates up to allow the passage of teeth 254A ashydraulic cylinder 252 retracts but which also engages teeth 254A whenhydraulic cylinder 254A is extending. Accordingly, the reciprocatingretraction and extension of hydraulic cylinder 252 causes theintermittent driving of drive plate 254 as turret frame 274 rotates andsweeps panel 306. Panel 306 may sweep in a reverse direction (counterclockwise direction as seen in FIGS. 16-17B) but this must be donemanually.

It is to be understood that while certain forms of this invention havebeen illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto, except in sofar as such limitations are included in the following claims andallowable equivalents thereof.

1. An apparatus for moving livestock, comprising; (a) an enclosureincluding at least one wall having at least one arc shaped portion, (b)a turret unit positioned generally at the center of curvature of saidarc shaped portion of said enclosure, said turret unit including asupport frame and a turret frame pivotably mounted on said support frameand a panel slidably mounted within said turret frame having sufficientlength to extend generally to the edge of said arc shaped portion ofsaid enclosure, said turret unit adapted for two modes of motionincluding a sweeping mode in which said panel is extended and saidturret frame rotates relative to said support frame as said panel sweepsaround said enclosure between a first position and a second oppositeposition and a shuttle mode in which said panel translates by shuttlingthrough said turret frame between said second position and said fistposition, whereby said panel may be either swept around said enclosurein said first sweeping mode of movement or shuttled from one side ofsaid turret frame to the other side of said frame in said second shuttlemode such that livestock may be received into said enclosure on one endof said enclosure, said panel translating generally behind saidlivestock and said panel sweeping said livestock through said enclosurefor egress on the other side of said enclosure by rotation of said panelthrough said enclosure.
 2. The apparatus for moving livestock of claim1, further comprising; electrically charged elements on the surfaces ofsaid panel for stimulating said livestock and urging said livestock awayfrom said panel.
 3. The apparatus for moving livestock of claim 1,further comprising; electrically charged elements on the surfaces ofsaid panel for stimulating said livestock and urging said livestock awayfrom said panel, said electrically charged elements connected to a powersupply by a power supply line, a hydraulic motor for powering thesweeping movement of said panel, said hydraulic motor associated with arelief valve which opens when said hydraulic motor encounters resistanceabove a predetermined amount of resistance, and, a relay associated withsaid relief valve for closing said power supply line when said reliefvalve is open and which opens said power supply line when said reliefvalve closes.
 4. The apparatus for moving livestock of claim 1, furthercomprising; electrically charged elements on the surfaces of said panelfor stimulating said livestock and urging said livestock away from saidpanel, said electrically charged elements connected to a power supply bya power supply line, a hydraulic motor for powering the sweepingmovement of said panel, said hydraulic motor associated with a reliefvalve which opens when said hydraulic motor encounters resistance abovea predetermined amount of resistance, and, a relay associated with saidrelief valve which closes said power supply line a predetermined amountof time after said relief valve opens and which opens said power supplyline when said relief valve closes.
 5. The apparatus for movinglivestock of claim 1, further comprising; a releasable latch mechanismassociated with said turret frame and said panel for fixing the positionof said panel relative to said turret frame when said turret frame issweeping said panel.
 6. The apparatus for moving livestock of claim 1,further comprising; a releasable latch mechanism associated with saidturret frame and said panel for fixing the position of said panelrelative to said turret frame when said turret frame is rotated, saidreleasable latch mechanism including, projecting members fixed to saidpanel and a latch assembly biased in a lower position having slopedportions for receiving one of said projecting members of said panel anda notch for capturing one of said projecting members of said panel and ameans for raising said latch assembly for releasing said one of saidprojecting members of said panel.
 7. The apparatus for moving livestockof claim 1, wherein; said enclosure includes at least one wall offsetfrom said panel of said turret unit and an access gate for allowingentry of an operator into the area between said panel and said wall ofsaid enclosure offset from said panel.
 8. The apparatus for movinglivestock of claim 1, wherein; said turret frame includes a set ofrollers and said panel includes rail members, said rollers and said railmembers having correspondingly shaped surfaces such that said railmembers ride on said rollers.
 9. The apparatus for moving livestock ofclaim 1, wherein; said turret frame includes a set of rollers and saidpanel includes rail member, said rail members having V shaped crosssections and said rollers having circumferencial grooves shaped forreceiving the V shaped rail members.
 10. The apparatus for movinglivestock of claim 1, further comprising; a drive unit operativelyassociated with said support frame, said drive unit including a sweepmotor fixed to said support frame and a shuttle motor fixed to saidturret frame, said shuttle motor operatively connected to a spoolcarrying a cable, said cable attached to said panel at opposites endsthereof and wrapped around said spool between said opposite ends thereofsuch that when said spool rotates said end of said cable attached to oneend of said panel is retracted and said end of said cable attached tothe opposite end of said panel is played out so that said panel shuttlesbetween said first position and said second position upon rotation ofsaid spool, said sweep motor including a pulley and said turret frameincluding a generally circular belt plate, said pulley and said beltplate carrying a belt such that rotation of said pulley causes rotationof said turret frame relative to said support frame.
 11. The apparatusfor moving livestock of claim 1, further comprising; a drive unitoperatively associated with said support frame, said drive unitincluding a sweep motor fixed to said support frame and a shuttle motorfixed to said turret frame, said shuttle motor operatively connected toa spool carrying a cable, said cable attached to said panel at oppositesends thereof and wrapped around said spool between said opposite endsthereof such that when said spool rotates said end of said cableattached to one end of said panel is retracted and said end of saidcable attached to the opposite end of said panel is played out so thatsaid panel shuttles between said first position and said second positionupon rotation of said spool, said sweep motor including a pulley andsaid turret frame including a generally circular belt plate, said pulleyand said belt plate carrying a belt such that rotation of said pulleycauses rotation of said turret frame relative to said support frame,said shuttle motor and said sweep motor each controlled by a controlunit which may be remotely operated by an operator.
 12. The apparatusfor moving livestock of claim 1, further comprising; at least one bossmember projecting from at least one end of said panel and at least onelatch assembly for alternately capturing and releasing said boss memberfor alternately preventing shuttling of said panel when said panel issweeping through said enclosure and for releasing said panel forshuttling movement, said latch assembly including a translating portionslidably mounted to said turret frame for generally vertical movement, apivoting portion pivotably mounted to said turret frame for pivotingmovement in response to said vertical movement of said translatingportion, said pivoting portion including a prawl member having an angledsurface for receiving said boss member of said panel to cause upwardpivoting movement of said prawl member from a first low position to asecond raised position as said boss member passes under said prawlmember, said prawl member capturing said boss member as said prawlmember falls back to said first low position, said support frame havingat least one skid plate positioned and angled such that when said panelsweeps into a position suitable for shuttling, said skid plate contactssaid translating portion of said latch assembly to cause downwardmovement thereof, pivoting movement of said pivoting portion and raisingof said prawl member for releasing said boss member preparatory toshuttling movement of said panel.
 13. A system for moving livestock,comprising; (a) a sequence of at least two semicircular enclosurespositioned in a generally overlapping and opposing fashion such that theperiphery of at least one enclosure extends generally to the center ofcurvature of an adjacent enclosure, (b) turret units positionedgenerally at the centers of curvature of each of said at least twoadjacent semicircular enclosures, each turret unit including a supportframe and a turret frame pivotably mounted to said turret frame and apanel slidably mounted to said turret frame of sufficient length toextend generally to the edge of each said enclosure, said turret frameand panel of each turret unit adapted for two modes of motion includinga first sweeping mode in which said panel is fixed relative to saidturret frame as said turret frame rotates relative to said support framefor sweeping said panel around said enclosure between a first positionand a generally opposite second position and a shuttle mode in whichsaid panel translates relative to said turret frame as said turret frameremains fixed relative to said support frame for shuttling said panelbetween said second position and said first position, whereby panels maybe either swept around enclosures in said first sweeping mode ofmovement or shuttled from one side of an enclosure to the other side ofan enclosure in said second shuttle mode in order to move livestock froma first enclosure into at least one subsequent inter-connected secondenclosure.
 14. The apparatus for moving livestock of claim 13, furthercomprising; electrically charged elements on the surfaces of said panelfor stimulating said livestock and urging said livestock away from saidpanel.
 15. The apparatus for moving livestock of claim 13, furthercomprising; electrically charged elements on the surfaces of said panelfor stimulating said livestock and urging said livestock away from saidpanel, said electrically charged elements connected to a power supply bya power supply line, a hydraulic motor for powering the sweepingmovement of said panel, said hydraulic motor associated with a reliefvalve which opens when said hydraulic motor encounters resistance abovea predetermined amount of resistance, and, a relay associated with saidrelief valve for closing said power supply line when said relief valveis open and which opens said power supply line when said relief valvecloses.
 16. The apparatus for moving livestock of claim 13, furthercomprising; electrically charged elements on the surfaces of said panelfor stimulating said livestock and urging said livestock away from saidpanel, said electrically charged elements connected to a power supply bya power supply line, a hydraulic motor for powering the sweepingmovement of said panel, said hydraulic motor associated with a reliefvalve which opens when said hydraulic motor encounters resistance abovea predetermined amount of resistance, and, a relay associated with saidrelief valve which closes said power supply line a predetermined amountof time after said relief valve opens and which opens said power supplyline when said relief valve closes.
 17. The system for moving livestockof claim 13, wherein; each turret frame includes a releasable latchmechanism for fixing the position of said panel relative to said turretframe when said turret frame is sweeping said panel.
 18. The system formoving livestock of claim 13, wherein; each turret frame includes areleasable latch mechanism associated with said turret frame and saidpanel for fixing the position of said panel relative to said turretframe when said turret frame is rotated, said releasable latch mechanismincluding, at least one projecting member fixed to said panel and alatch assembly biased by its own weight in a low position, said latchassembly having angled portions for receiving said projecting member ofsaid panel and a notch for capturing said projecting member of saidpanel and a means for selectively raising said latch assembly forreleasing said projecting boss member.
 19. The system for movinglivestock of claim 13, wherein; said turret frames include a set ofrollers and each of said panels includes rail members, said rollers andsaid rail members presenting compatibly shaped surfaces such that saidrail members ride on said rollers for shuttling movement of said panel.20. The system for moving livestock of claim 13, wherein; each of saidturret frames includes a set of rollers and each of said panels includesrail member, said rail members presenting V shaped cross sections andsaid rollers having circumferencial grooves shaped for receiving the Vshaped rail members such that said rail members ride on said rollers forshuttling movement of said panel.
 21. The apparatus for moving livestockof claim 13, wherein; each turret unit includes a drive unit operativelyassociated with said support frame, said drive unit including a sweepmotor fixed to said support frame and a shuttle motor fixed to saidturret frame, said shuttle motor operatively connected to a spoolcarrying a cable, said cable attached to said panel attached to saidpanel at opposites ends thereof and wrapped around said spool betweensaid opposite ends thereof such that when said spool rotates said cableattached to one end of said panel is retracted and cable attached to theopposite end of said panel is played out so that said panel shuttlesbetween said first position and said second position upon rotation ofsaid spool, said sweep motor including a pulley and said turret frameincluding a generally circular belt plate for carrying a beltcommunicating between said pulley and said belt plate such that rotationof said pulley causes rotation of said turret frame relative to saidsupport frame.
 22. The apparatus for moving livestock of claim 13,wherein; each turret unit includes at least one boss member projectingfrom at least one end of said panel and at least one latch assembly foralternately capturing and releasing said boss member for alternatelypreventing shuttling of said panel when said panel is sweeping throughsaid enclosure and for releasing said panel for shuttling movement, saidlatch assembly including a translating portion slidably mounted to saidturret frame for generally vertical movement, a pivoting portionpivotably mounted to said turret frame for pivoting movement in responseto said vertical movement of said translating portion, said pivotingportion including a prawl member having an angled surface for receivingsaid boss member of said panel to cause upward pivoting movement of saidprawl member from a first low position to a second raised position assaid boss member passes under said prawl member, said prawl membercapturing said boss member as said prawl member falls back to said firstlow position, said support frame having at least one skid platepositioned and angled such that when said panel sweeps into a positionsuitable for shuttling, said skid plate contacts said translatingportion of said latch assembly to cause downward movement thereof,pivoting movement of said pivoting portion and raising of said prawlmember for releasing said boss member preparatory to shuttling movementof said panel.
 23. A method for moving at least one livestock animalbetween an entrance location and an exit location comprising thefollowing steps; (a). obtaining at least two enclosures each havingwalls including at least one arc shaped portion and positioning a turretunit at the center of curvature of each of said arc shaped portions,each turret unit including a panel extending to the inside wall of itsrespective enclosure, the turret unit and the panel arranged for twomodes of panel movement, a first mode in which the panel translates fromone side of the turret unit to the other side and a second mode in whichthe panel sweeps around the enclosure from one side to the other side,each semi-circular enclosure defining an entrance on one side of theturret unit and an exit on the other side of the turret unit (b)arranging the at least two enclosures in an opposing and offset fashionsuch that the exit of the first enclosure faces the entrance of thesecond enclosure (c) positioning the panel of the first enclosure at theexit of the first enclosure and positioning the panel of the secondenclosure at the exit of the second enclosure, the entrance of the firstenclosure providing an entrance location and the exit of the secondenclosure providing an exit location (d) urging the at least onelivestock animal through the entrance of the first enclosure into thefirst enclosure, (e) translating the panel of the first enclosure to aposition generally behind the at least one livestock animal, (f)sweeping the panel of the first enclosure around the first enclosure tourge the at least one livestock animal into the second enclosure, (g)translating the panel of the second enclosure to close the entrance ofthe second enclosure, (h) sweeping the panel of the second enclosurearound the second enclosure to urge the at least one livestock animalthrough the exit of the second enclosure thereby completing the movementof the at least one livestock animal from the entrance location to theexit location.
 24. The method of claim 23 wherein; at least one of saidenclosures has a semi-circular shape.